Study on optimum synthesis of ethyl cyanoacetate

Abstract

Ethyl cyanoacetate is an important chemical intermediate and has been used widely. Ethyl cyanoacetate was prepared by esterification of cyanoacetic acid and absolute ethanol with mixed catalyst (the same proportion of silicotungstic and p-toluene sulfonic acid as catalyst). The influence factors of the amount of catalyst, n(cyanoacetic acid): n ( absolute ethanol), reaction time and reaction temperature on the esterification rate was investigated by orthogonal experiment of four factors and three levels. The product was analyzed by gas chromatography to determine the optimum reaction conditions.